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huò

Character evolution

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Simplified · Today

Shuowen

Goods. The character 货 is formed from 贝 (shell, money) and 化 (to transform), suggesting wealth that can be exchanged. In oracle bone inscriptions the shell and the stylized turning figure appear together, giving the earliest sense of commodity or movable property. The combination of money and transformation explains why 货 is used for goods and merchandise.

Pinyin

huò· HSK 2